Machine for assembling vehicles and methods of assembling vehicles
First Claim
1. A machine for use in assembling a vehicle that includes at least a first component and a second component adapted to be coupled to the first component to form a component assembly, said machine comprising:
- at least one component tooling apparatus configured to selectively adjust an orientation of the second component with respect to the first component; and
a control system coupled to said at least one component tooling apparatus, said control system comprising a processor configured to;
receive a unique vehicle identifier associated with the component assembly;
determine a design orientation of the second component with respect to the first component based at least in part on the received unique vehicle identifier; and
cause the component tooling apparatus to mechanically couple the second component to the first component such that the orientation of the second component with respect to the first component is substantially similar to the determined second component design orientation.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A machine for use in assembling a vehicle is described herein. The vehicle includes at least a first component and a second component adapted to be coupled to the first component to form a component assembly. The machine includes at least one component tooling apparatus that is configured to selectively adjust an orientation of the second component with respect to the first component. A control system is coupled to the at least one component tooling apparatus. The control system includes a processor that is configured to receive a unique vehicle identifier associated with the component assembly, and determine a design orientation of the second component with respect to the first component based at least in part on the received unique vehicle identifier.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A machine for use in assembling a vehicle that includes at least a first component and a second component adapted to be coupled to the first component to form a component assembly, said machine comprising:
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at least one component tooling apparatus configured to selectively adjust an orientation of the second component with respect to the first component; and a control system coupled to said at least one component tooling apparatus, said control system comprising a processor configured to; receive a unique vehicle identifier associated with the component assembly; determine a design orientation of the second component with respect to the first component based at least in part on the received unique vehicle identifier; and cause the component tooling apparatus to mechanically couple the second component to the first component such that the orientation of the second component with respect to the first component is substantially similar to the determined second component design orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An assembly management system for use in assembling a vehicle that includes at least a first component and a second component adapted to be coupled to the first component to form a component assembly, said assembly management system comprising:
a component management device coupled with at least one component tooling apparatus that is configured to selectively adjust an orientation of the second component with respect to the first component, said component management device configured to; receive a unique vehicle identifier associated with the component assembly; determine a design orientation of the second component with respect to the first component based at least in part on the received unique vehicle identifier; and cause the component tooling apparatus to mechanically couple the second component to the first component such that the orientation of the second component with respect to the first component is substantially similar to the determined second component orientation. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of assembling a vehicle, said method comprising:
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receiving, by an assembly machine, a request to assemble a component assembly, the component assembly including at least a first component and a second component adapted to be coupled to the first component; receiving a unique vehicle identifier associated with the component assembly; determining a design orientation of the second component with respect to the first component based at least in part on the received unique vehicle identifier; and mechanically coupling the second component to the first component such that the orientation of the second component with respect to the first component is substantially similar to the determined component design orientation. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification